Clan Jetties (Chew Jetty)
姓周桥
Wooden stilt villages built over the sea in the 19th century by Hokkien clans who shared the same surname. Chew Jetty's plank walkways and stilt houses are a living World Heritage site, with sea views, sunsets and daily life of longtime residents.
The Clan Jetties are located along Weld Quay in George Town. In the late 19th century, immigrants from Tongan in Fujian settled over the sea in villages organized by surname. Originally there were nine, and seven remain today: Chew, Lim, Tan, Lee, Yeoh, Ong and the Mixed Jetty. Together with George Town, they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008, and residents still live here today. The largest and most open is Chew Jetty. A plank walkway about 400 m long stretches out over the water, lined with stilt houses. Residents run small shops at their doors selling ice cream, souvenirs and handicrafts. At the end of the walkway is a platform extending into the sea, with views of the strait, ferries and the mainland, making it a great place to watch the sunset. At the head of the jetty stand the Chew clan ancestral hall and a temple. Each year on the eighth night of the Lunar New Year, the Tien Kong (Heavenly Lord) worship is the liveliest event at Chew Jetty, when the whole jetty is lit up. Lim and Tan Jetties are quieter, offering a glimpse of more traditional fishing village life. Entry is free and open during the day (please don't disturb residents after 9 p.m.). Allow about 45 minutes for your visit. Nearby, a 5-minute walk to the north brings you to the ferry terminal and Fort Cornwallis, while 10 minutes to the south takes you to the mural area on Armenian Street. You can also see colonial buildings on the old Lebuh Pantai street nearby. Getting there: walk within the old town or take the free CAT bus to Weld Quay. Note: the walkways are lined with private homes, so please don't peek into residences or make loud noises. The planks have gaps, so keep an eye on your phone and children. There's no shade over the water at midday, so mornings and evenings are more comfortable.
Opening hours
All day (best 09:00–21:00; please avoid disturbing residents at night)
Nearby sights
- Khoo Kongsi
- Penang Street Art – Armenian Street
- Kapitan Keling Mosque
- Sun Yat-sen Museum Penang
- George Town UNESCO Heritage Zone
- Little India, George Town
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion
- Kuan Yin Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple)